In the battle of the saints, the Martins emerged victorious in the first round of the Wexford Senior hurling championship.
St Martins, last year’s runners-up, laid down a first-round marker, with a mammoth win over the Annes. St Annes were defeated on a scoreline of 8-22 to 0-12, as the Martins dominated throughout.
St Annes were without their two injured county stars, Liam Óg McGovern and Dee O’Keeffe, who are pivotal to their club-team. Their loss was felt, but it should not undermine the Martins’ victory, who were the pick of all the sides from the first-round of games.
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In other news, county champions Naomh Eanna defeated Rathnure by the minimum, in a victory that was the club’s first ever against Rathnure. Final score 1-15-0-17.
Similarly, Oylegate-Glenbrien emerged victorious against Oulart-The Ballagh, who are now managed by Liam Dunne, with a 2-19 to 2-18 win. Oulart-The Ballagh were not helped in the final quarter of the game after Wexford stalwart Rory Jacob was sent to the sidelines, as the Ballagh were reduced to fourteen men.
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On Saturday, a last gasp point by John Tubritt helped steer newly promoted Fethard to a draw against a Faythe Harriers, who will be disappointed with the result, finishing with a tally of nineteen wides. Final score 0-12 – 0-12.
Enniscorthy’s Rapparees were too good for Ferns St-Aidans, dominating proceedings with a 1-18 to 1-11 victory.
Glynn-Barntown and Shelmaliers played out a draw in Taghmon on Saturday evening. Originally, to some confusion, the ref awarded Glynn-Barntown with a win – but changed his mind after a few ‘quiet words’ from the Shelmaliers contingent. Final score 1-11 to 0-14.
